Page 169 of Cross & Crown

“The diamonds inside the clover, there were symbols

etched on them.”

Nick sat back, a mixture of relief and irritation flowing

through him. “You didn’t want them to know.”

“No, I figured the less people who know about this, the

better. Especially people who steal priceless treasures and

hoard them in suitcases.”

“Fair enough.” Nick cleared his throat. “Do me a favor

and never Google your real name, okay?”

“What? Why?”

“No reason.” Nick raised his hand for a waitress. “I need

a fucking drink.”

When the first round came, JD took one of the napkins

from beneath his glass and drew the cross and clover on it.

Inside each leaf of the clover, he wrote the symbols he’d seen.

Kelly had his phone out, frowning at the screen.

Nick leaned toward him. They were sharing a love seat,

so he scooted closer, sliding his hand between Kelly’s thighs

so it would look like they were merely lovebirds on a date

rather than a group of men who’d just met the most notorious

criminal in Boston and were now here drinking so Paddy and

his boys could slip out the back of the hotel without being

seen. “What are you doing?”

“Looking up what circles mean.”

Nick tightened his grip, squeezing his thigh and pul ing

him closer. He whispered in his ear. “No beginning. No end.”

Kelly tried to turn his head, but Nick nudged his cheek with

his nose, refusing to let him move just yet. He closed his

170

eyes and rested his forehead against Kelly’s temple. “Like a